How to Grow and Care for Basket Plants (Callisia Fragrans)
Basket plant, also known as a chain plant or false bromeliad, is a flowering tropical plant with thick, vibrant green leaves, and a preference for shade.
They are primarily grown indoors in cooler climates where they can still thrive with low to medium light and watering every two to three days during the growing season. Just be aware that basket plants will require yearly repotting due to their rapid growth.
Common Name | Basket plant, chain plant, false bromeliad, inch plant |
Botanical Name | Callisia fragrans |
Family | Commelinaceae |
Plant Type | Perennial, herb |
Mature Size | 12 inches tall, up to 35-inch spread |
Sun Exposure | Indirect sun to partial shade |
Soil Type | Can tolerate a variety of pH ranges |
Bloom Time | Early spring to late summer |
Flower Color | White |
Hardiness Zones | 9-11 (USDA) |
Native Area | Mexico |
These are the main care requirements you should be aware of when growing a basket plant.
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Basket plants are commonly grown indoors in cooler climates, but can still benefit from indirect light. Place them in a location that low to medium light. Be careful not to place your planter too close to the window to avoid scorching the leaves.
If your basket plant is receiving too much sun, its leaves will begin to purple. Keep a lookout for that change if you want to make sure you're providing sufficient light.
A potting mix that’s either soil- or peat-based will work best for a basket plant, though you’ll want to amend it with a fertilizer formulated for flowering plants.
If you opt for a fertilizer that is added to the plant’s water source, you’ll need to plan on fertilizing at least once a month. With a slow-release fertilizer, you should be able to get three to four months between every application.
During the spring, summer, and fall, keep your basket plant moist by watering every two to three days. Make sure the pot doesn’t start to accumulate standing water.
During the winter season, cut back on your watering so the top two-thirds of the soil surrounding the plant dries out between watering.
Because the basket plant hails from a tropical climate, it does best in warm rooms. If you live in a temperate climate where winter temperatures range around 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, place your plant in a shady spot outdoors during this time in order to encourage their winter rest period.
Basket plants only require pruning in order to keep their size in check. If you need to prune, simply trim the ends off before the leaf node. The clippings can be used for propagation.
Basket plants are easy to propagate, in fact, any part of a stem that touches the soil might soon sprout air roots—no trimming and replanting required.
To create new plants though, use any healthy clipped stem and plant it in moist soil. If you happen to have stems that already have air roots, these are the most ideal clipping for propagation, though any good stem should take.
Ensure any existing roots are planted with ¼ inch between the soil and the leaves. They’re fast growers and should show successful growth within just a couple weeks.
Because basket plants are rapid growers, they will need repotting every year, ideally in the spring. Choose a pot that has plenty of room for growth in order to ensure more frequent repotting.
During the months of March through October, basket plants feature tiny blooms of white flowers. The blooms are tiny, highly fragrant (which is where the name callisia fragrans comes from) and numerous. To encourage flowering, be sure to fertilize with a formula specifically geared toward flowering plants.
Basket plants are beloved for their low-key maintenance needs. They’re easy to care for and have relatively few diseases. That being said, be cautious of overwatering as that is the primary reason you might have issues with your basket plant.
FAQ
Is a basket plant a succulent?
While, like many succulent varieties, a basket plant requires minimal care, it is in fact a perennial herb.
Does basket plant need full sun?
Basket plants do not require full sun but they do best indoors when given at least a few hours of sunlight each day. When exposed to direct light, their leaves may turn purple.
Is callisia fragrans safe for pets?
Callisia fragrans is not listed on the ASPCA’s website as a toxic plant for animals, though the National Institute of Health (NIH) has reported the sap that is found within the leaves of the basket plant can cause contact dermatitis in dogs.